Sixth Street, six feet and mood swings

When it comes to the proposed stop signs on Sixth Street at West Merle Hibbs that was voted down last week by Marshalltown City Council, I can see both ways.

Many of us use Sixth Street as a faster way through Marshalltown, avoiding all the stoplights on Center Street.

It’s one of those secrets that area residents take advantage of and let the out-of-towners mess with Center Street if they want to pass through the whole town.

There have been some accidents at that corner, which led to the proposed signs there. Well, the city had a study conducted and realized that there is either a need for stop signs or to lower the speed limit in that area, and it appears the council may go the speed limit route. Now, I would like a study conducted to see how Sixth Street magically turns into Third Street near Mega-10 Park. That little hiccup really confuses visitors. That’s something we need to get to the bottom of people.

Being tall

I have written before about being tall and usually I forget it. I’m often reminded of my stature when I visit our area elementary schools working on stories. Last week while walking through a school hallway, a boy who appeared to be in second grade confronted me and asked. “Can you touch the ceiling?”

I didn’t know so I gave it a try and I could touch the ceiling. He seemed pretty impressed for a second or too, then kept walking. On the way out of the school in a different hallway, a young girl looked at me and said, “Whooaaa, tall guy!”

Yes, that is me. Soon, I plan to run away with the circus so people can pay admission to see this freak who looks like he’s walking on stilts. I’m only 6-foot-3 people – not that freakish I hope.

Mood swings

Our 4-year-old girl is teaching me all sorts of things. One of the things I learned was that you can be in a different mood for different people. Recently she has told me more than once: “I’m not in a good mood of you, Daddy.”

Then she proceeds to tell me she’s in a “good mood of” her mother and brother. I don’t take too much offense to it as usually she’s “not in a good mood of” me early in the morning and it tends to wears off – especially if I feed her.

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Reporter Andrew Potter is a Tuesday columnist for the Times-Republican. The views expressed in this column are personal views of the writer and don’t necessarily reflect the views of the T-R. Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com